What's happening at Norton? Sale to TVS, massive investment, new bikes...

MCN is no newbie to testing bikes so I paid most attention to their take. More or less they're saying Norton jumped in to the sportbike market at the deep end and have a bike that can compete against the likes of Ducati and BMW that are on their 4th or 5th model generation. If it falls between the GSXR's and the Panigale's performance wise and pricewise on its first shot thats not a bad achievement from day one. MCN used always have a long termer on test and this would be the ideal candidate for them keep on their books.
 
speirmoor said:
MCN is no newbie to testing bikes so I paid most attention to their take. More or less they're saying Norton jumped in to the sportbike market at the deep end and have a bike that can compete against the likes of Ducati and BMW that are on their 4th or 5th model generation. If it falls between the GSXR's and the Panigale's performance wise and pricewise on its first shot thats not a bad achievement from day one. MCN used always have a long termer on test and this would be the ideal candidate for them keep on their books.
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Performance and price doesn’t mean it’s quality or dependable. But as you said, I take the review from a reputable magazine publisher over a YouTuber or social wannabe
 
speirmoor said:
MCN is no newbie to testing bikes so I paid most attention to their take. More or less they're saying Norton jumped in to the sportbike market at the deep end and have a bike that can compete against the likes of Ducati and BMW that are on their 4th or 5th model generation. If it falls between the GSXR's and the Panigale's performance wise and pricewise on its first shot thats not a bad achievement from day one. MCN used always have a long termer on test and this would be the ideal candidate for them keep on their books.
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Absolutely, the long term test is what provides the best indication of what an owner is likely to experience.
It separates the chaff from the wheat.
 
There have been some difficulties with support for the 961 - I follow the FB site too. My guess is the majority is generated at dealership level. Several have been removed (or left) from the network over the last period.

Of course those cases are reported loudly - understandable. For every report though, I suspect many SP owners are happily racking up the miles and receiving appropriate support from the likes of Krazy Horse and Judd. Happy to be called out on this by any of the new owners? The dealer network has to be a key focus for Norton you’d think.

Seems what difficulties there are though, relate to the 961 (a design that’s always had difficulties as we know). Other models are low volume, but I haven’t heard any comment about support to the V4SV/CR?

For me, the bottom line is this: if Norton fails to properly support these first Norton/TVS-era bikes, they’ll be in serious trouble, and I suspect they know that. They’re already carrying some baggage from Donington, along with ongoing perceptions around the 961. That will only increase scrutiny of after-sales support.

They need to get this right, that’s for sure!!!
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
There have been some difficulties with support for the 961 - I follow the FB site too. My guess is the majority is generated at dealership level. Several have been removed (or left) from the network over the last period.

Of course those cases are reported loudly - understandable. For every report though, I suspect many SP owners are happily racking up the miles and receiving appropriate support from the likes of Krazy Horse and Judd. Happy to be called out on this by any of the new owners? The dealer network has to be a key focus for Norton you’d think.

Seems what difficulties there are though, relate to the 961 (a design that’s always had difficulties as we know). Other models are low volume, but I haven’t heard any comment about support to the V4SV/CR?

For me, the bottom line is this: if Norton fails to properly support these first Norton/TVS-era bikes, they’ll be in serious trouble, and I suspect they know that. They’re already carrying some baggage from Donington, along with ongoing perceptions around the 961. That will only increase scrutiny of after-sales support.

They need to get this right, that’s for sure!!!
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Truth be told, they didn’t leave a sweet taste in one’s mouth. Using the 961 as an excuse is lame to be honest.

Even though they adopted the 961 and its issues from the past, they also made some of their own issues. Some were handled well, others not so.

They can’t use the Garner era as an excuse since they took over the brand. They had more than enough time to iron out the issues.

Who will they blame if the new models have issues and poor after sales support? Skinner?
 
NorTriDuc said:
Truth be told, they didn’t leave a sweet taste in one’s mouth. Using the 961 as an excuse is lame to be honest.

Even though they adopted the 961 and its issues from the past, they also made some of their own issues. Some were handled well, others not so.

They can’t use the Garner era as an excuse since they took over the brand. They had more than enough time to iron out the issues.

Who will they blame if the new models have issues and poor after sales support? Skinner?
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Nobody is suggesting that Norton is trying to shift blame or make excuses.

The point is that future after-sales support will inevitably face greater scrutiny. That stems partly from the shadow of past events and partly from lingering doubts surrounding the 961 — a situation Norton has contributed to itself. Reputation is cumulative; it’s not neatly divided into separate, attributable parts.

For me, getting this right becomes critical as Norton begins pushing new models in greater volumes and expands its dealer network internationally. It may well represent their ‘last best chance’ to establish long-term success.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Nobody is suggesting that Norton is trying to shift blame or make excuses.

The point is that future after-sales support will inevitably face greater scrutiny. That stems partly from the shadow of past events and partly from lingering doubts surrounding the 961 — a situation Norton has contributed to itself. Reputation is cumulative; it’s not neatly divided into separate, attributable parts.

For me, getting this right becomes critical as Norton begins pushing new models in greater volumes and expands its dealer network internationally. It may well represent their ‘last best chance’ to establish long-term success.
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Suggesting?
Have you already forgotten the last 6 years?
 
I have several barge poles to use!

But I hear the Australian Masochists Society are eager to place orders.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
There have been some difficulties with support for the 961 - I follow the FB site too. My guess is the majority is generated at dealership level. Several have been removed (or left) from the network over the last period.
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i hardly paid attention & don even know the details but new folks are gonna find out quick parts was a sh.t show & no stoppin those folks
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Stephen_Spencer said:
No idea what that means, but that’s ok.

Why not look forward - what is your opinion of the Manx R?
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I think what NotTriDuc is alluding to is you are taking a risk buying this New Norton. You can’t buy it yet anyway correct ? Have you registered interest with Norton ? I would wait before purchasing.
 
TonyA said:
I think what NotTriDuc is alluding to is you are taking a risk buying this New Norton. You can’t buy it yet anyway correct ? Have you registered interest with Norton ? I would wait before purchasing.
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Hey Tony,

I have registered my interest, although I suspect we are some way off sales into the Australian market. Priority is the UK of course, then the US, India and selected European markets.

I’d need to see the Manx R up close and ride it before any purchase. Just completing fitting the ABM bars to make my 961CR more rideable; I’d certainly need to have a good look at the Manx R’s riding position. Plus ‘she of higher authority’ will need to be navigated😆!!

Really don’t subscribe to reducing everything to its most negative potential outcome Tony. I don’t believe (limited) ongoing difficulty with the 961 platform (and some UK based dealerships) will likely be repeated with new Nortons in new international markets.

TVS is committing huge resources to business development overseas - that just wouldn’t make business sense and they are a successful business. Even for the most hardened of scheptics though, there’s a 3 year unlimited mileage factory warranty. So unless we think TVS is gonna go bust……… .

We here are hung up on the 961 and its history of difficulties, which is understandable. It’s what we ride and what brought us to this site originally. The forum might be called ‘modern Norton’ but there’s no real interest here for modern Norton offerings. Just gotta look at the (lack of) discussion here on the Manx R since its launch.

Thats all ok, I think we just need to use our own judgement before making any future purchases👍.
 
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